Red Light Recession In New York (Press, 15 March 1983)

A recent report from W. J. Weatherby in ‘The Guardian’ highlights the struggles faced by prostitutes on New York's Eighth Avenue amidst a severe recession. On a snowy night, the economic downturn had led to desperate measures, with some women aggressively pursuing passersby in hopes of securing clients. As police appeared, there was a remarkable scene of numerous women fleeing into nearby side streets to evade arrest, reminiscent of birds escaping a predator. The recession has resulted in a significant decline in business, with reports indicating profits have plummeted by as much as 50 per cent, although exact figures are hard to establish due to the nature of the profession. This downturn has led to an increase in the number of sex workers, as women facing unemployment or financial strain have entered the industry. Among these newcomers are individuals like a housewife from Long Island and a university student, both of whom have thus far managed to work independently despite attempts by pimps to recruit them. The report notes a demographic shift among sex workers on the streets, with young women from upstate New York and a rise in Spanish-speaking prostitutes, many of whom are recent immigrants from South America. They often resort to prostitution after failing to find other employment, paralleling the experiences of their counterparts from rural areas in the South. Despite the societal resistance towards prostitution in the United States, the industry operates in a grey area, tolerated by law enforcement while being condemned by politicians. Many aspects of the business have moved indoors under police consent, including peep shows and massage parlours, yet revenue has also declined sharply over the past year. Prostitutes from other cities like Detroit and Chicago have also flocked to New York in search of work, only to find similar challenges. Those involved in the more organised side of the business, including pimps, have also felt the impact of the recession. An example cited is a pimp from Mississippi, known as “Black Ice,” who has had to take a conventional job as a cashier and bouncer due to decreased income and increased costs associated with his sex workers’ health and legal troubles. There’s also been a notable change in the racial composition of street prostitutes, with a rise in white women joining the ranks typically occupied by black and Hispanic workers. This demographic shift is reflected in both outdoor and indoor settings, where, in some cases, more white women are present than their black counterparts. Ultimately, the pressures of the recession have exacerbated the already difficult lives of sex workers. There has been a worrying rise in health issues and psychiatric needs among these women, tied to the financial strain of their circumstances. Concerns about technological advancements—such as the availability of sex dolls and devices—have also emerged, leading to fears that the industry may further decline. The observations in Weatherby’s report paint a bleak picture of the complexities surrounding prostitution, highlighting the economic desperation that drives many into this profession while illustrating the societal challenges they face both from law enforcement and changing industry dynamics. The image of prostitutes fleeing from police captures a broader narrative of individuals trapped in a cycle from which they struggle to escape.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand